Foiled again?

The Mouse King challenges Nutcracker in Southold rematch

The Mouse King challenges Nutcracker in Southold rematch

December 09, 2005|KARLA CRUISE Tribune Correspondent

In what promises to be an epic Yuletide battle, the elegant, though slightly wooden, Nutcracker Prince will cross foils with his nefarious foe, the Mouse King, at the Morris Performing Arts Center this weekend. Standing 5 feet 4 inches and weighing in at 135 pounds, Nutcracker (La'Ron Bradley), the clear betting favorite, will defend an undefeated record. Commentators have praised Nutcracker's fencing style for his use of traditional French maneuvers and his cool, analytical demeanor. Fans wonder, however, whether Nutcracker's legendary cool has been compromised by his recent injury. At a family Christmas party this year, Nutcracker was hurled to the floor by a naughty 9-year-old boy named Fritz. This bizarre incident left him with a fractured jaw and a scarred reputation. The Mouse King (Micheal Cox), or "The King," as he prefers to be called, maintains that Nutcracker's injury is just a ploy and claims to have seen Nutcracker annihilate a porterhouse steak at a recent fencers' dinner in Las Vegas. At 5 feet 8 inches and 145 pounds, the Mouse King (Michael Cox) is a major destructive force. Unlike his mannerly, well-disciplined adversary, the Mouse King is known for such unprofessional behavior as head butting and face gnawing. Like Nutcracker, the Mouse King has had his share of injuries. Just last year, "The King" suffered an injury to his head (and his pride) when a young woman knocked him cold with a bedroom slipper. The young woman was with Nutcracker when he was apprehended later that night. The two are believed to be romantically involved. Those close to "The King" say that last year's humiliation has neither curbed his confidence nor tamed his bragging. Mere words, however, won't decide this weekend's bout at the Morris; the strength and skill of these flawed but fearless swordsmen will.